Murphy’s strong start not enough for Long Island

(Sugar Land, Texas, April 18, 2013) – The Long Island Ducks were defeated by the Sugar Land Skeeters 3-0 on Thursday night in the first game of the 2013 season.

The Skeeters plated the game’s first run in the bottom of the first on a RBI double to right-center field by Steve Moss off Ducks starter Bill Murphy. It stayed that way until the sixth inning when Moss and Koby Clemens both hit solo homers off reliever Ian Snell to extend the lead to three.

Sugar Land starter Matt Wright earned the win, allowing just two hits in five innings while striking out four. Murphy suffered the hard-luck loss, yielding just one run on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts. Jason Bergmann earned his first save of the year with a scoreless ninth inning.

Ramon Castro led the Ducks offense with two hits while Danny Perales, Bryant Nelson and Adam Bailey had one hit apiece.

The Ducks and Skeeters continue their four-game series on Friday night. Game time is slated for 8:05 EDT from Constellation Field. Right-hander John Brownell gets the start for Long Island against Sugar Land southpaw Jason Lane. Fans can follow all the action live on the radio home of the Ducks, 103.9-FM WRCN and online by CLICKING HERE.

The Ducks return home on Friday, April 26 for the 2013 Home Opener against the Skeeters. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m., with the Bethpage Ballpark gates opening at 6:05. The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive Replica Championship Rings, courtesy of P.C. Richard and Son. Prior to the game, the Ducks will also host a Championship Ring and Banner Raising Ceremony to celebrate the team’s 2012 Atlantic League championship. Fans are asked to be in their seats by 6:30 to enjoy this special moment in Ducks history.

Tickets for the game and all 70 Ducks regular season home games are now on sale. Fans can purchase their tickets by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark box office, calling 631-940-TIXX or by CLICKING HERE.

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 GAME DATE: 04/18/2013 Long Island Ducks 0 AT Sugar Land Skeeters 3 YTD YTD L Island AB R H BI AVG Sugar Land AB R H BI AVG D.Perales CF 4 0 1 0 .250 A.Godwin CF 3 1 1 0 .333 J.Barfield 2B 4 0 0 0 .000 C.Lambin 2B 4 0 1 0 .250 R.Navarrete DH 4 0 0 0 .000 D.Martin RF 4 0 1 0 .250 R.Castro C 4 0 2 0 .500 S.Moss LF 4 1 3 2 .750 G.Suarez PR 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Pressley DH 3 0 1 0 .333 B.Nelson 3B 4 0 1 0 .250 K.Clemens C 4 1 1 1 .250 A.Bailey RF 4 0 1 0 .250 A.Bates 1B 3 0 0 0 .000 J.Brodin 1B 2 0 0 0 .000 D.Ramos 3B 3 0 0 0 .000 R.Kiniry LF 3 0 0 0 .000 A.Granato SS 3 0 0 0 .000 D.Lyons SS 3 0 0 0 .000 32 0 5 0 31 3 8 3 L Island 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 5 0 Sugar Land 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 x - 3 8 1 2B--D.Perales (1), D.Martin (1), S.Moss (1). HR--S.Moss (1), K.Clemens (1). RBI--S.Moss 2 (2), K.Clemens (1). SB--A.Godwin 2 (2). E--K.Clemens (1). LOB--L Island 6, Sugar Land 6. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA L Island B.Murphy (L,0-1) 5.0 5 1 1 2 4 0 1.80 I.Snell 1.0 2 2 2 0 2 2 18.00 J.Lansford 0.2 1 0 0 0 2 0 0.00 J.Houser 1.1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0.00 8 8 3 3 2 10 2 Sugar Land M.Wright (W,1-0) 5.0 2 0 0 0 4 0 0.00 J.Wells 1.0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0.00 J.Marshall 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 R.Corcoran 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.00 J.Bergmann (S,1) 1.0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0.00 9 5 0 0 0 8 0 WP--B.Murphy (1). SO--D.Perales, J.Barfield, R.Navarrete 2, R.Castro, B.Nelson, A.Bailey, D.Lyons, C.Lambin, D.Martin 2, S.Moss, J.Pressley, K.Clemens, A.Bates 2, D.Ramos, A.Granato. BB--A.Godwin, J.Pressley. BF--B.Murphy 21 (21), I.Snell 5 (5), J.Lansford 3 (3), J.Houser 4 (4), M.Wright 18 (18), J.Wells 4 (4), J.Marshall 4 (4), R.Corcoran 3 (3), J.Bergmann 4 (4). P-S--B.Murphy 85-51, I.Snell 20-13, J.Lansford 11-10, J.Houser 18-11, M.Wright 59-39, J.Wells 13-9, J.Marshall 13-8, R.Corcoran 7-6, J.Bergmann 11-9. T--2:19. A--7044 Umpires: Plate Ump - Marty Bauer, Field Ump #1 - Andrew Steinberg, Field Ump #2 - Dan Kiley